Around the Church of St. Nicholas a variety of market activities developed and this area
became the main market district of Newcastle. These activities are commemorated in the
surrounding street names, including Cloth Market, Groat Market, and Bigg Market (‘bigg’
was a variety of barley grown in the North East of England).
Charles Avison (1709 – 1770) was one of the finest English concerto composers of the
18th century and music director of the Newcastle Music Society. He wrote more than 40 concertos and was organist at St. Nicholas Church from 1736 until his death.
Ralph Beilby (1743-1817) was a founder member of Newcastle’s Literary & Philosophical Society. Proficient in many skills, Beilby took over the family business and in 1767 he took on Thomas Bewick (1753-1828) as an apprentice engraver.
Thomas Bewick was most famous for his ‘History of British Birds’, but he also illustrated ‘Aesop’s Fables’. He gave his name to the species Bewick’s Swan, and Bewick’s Wren. The Bewick Memorial and a commemorative
plaque mark where his workshop was at Amen Corner from about 1790.
Both Beilby and Bewick went on to great success and only ended their partnership in 1797 after 20 years at Amen Corner.
Ralph Hedley (1848-1913) designed the chancel furnishings for St. Nicholas Cathedral. He was a painter, woodcarver and illustrator best known for his paintings of everyday life in the North of England. Many of his works can be seen in the Laing Art Gallery.
